Related Links

ISLAMABAD — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says the Egyptian military did not take over but instead was “restoring democracy” in Egypt.

The military overthrew President Mohammed Morsi after protests by millions of people. They demanded Morsi step down after a year as Egypt’s first democratically elected president. The military then installed a civilian interim government and called for elections next year.

The Obama administration has refused to call the ouster a coup. That designation that would cut off $1.3 billion in annual military aid to Egypt.

Kerry says millions of people asked the military to intervene because they were afraid the country would descend into violence.

Kerry spoke during an interview with Geo TV in Pakistan, where he is making his first visit as secretary of state.